We have written about special hex keys and drivers many times before. Klein’s Journeyman sets have large L-wrenches and cushion grip handles. PB Swiss’s new inch sets (and even more metric sets) are rainbow color-coded. Wiha’s MagicRing hex keys have fastener retention clips. Astro Pneumatics’ have male and female hex tips for 3-in-1 versatility.
These Mayhew Select hex keys are unique in how they’re twisted all the way through. Prior to heat treatment, Mayhew twists the shanks of these S2 tool steel hex keys. This is supposed to increase the torque capacity of the hex keys.
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Twisting the shafts of the hex keys prior to heat treatment *should* improve the hex keys’ resistance to torsion forces. Or at least it should raise the amount of torque that would cause the hex keys to deform, break, or otherwise fail.
When turning a stubborn fastener with straight hex keys, excess energy is going to be converted and lost either through damage to the fastener, or through flex of the hex key shaft. Since these Mayhew hex keys are twisted, there should be strong internal forces that try to resist additional twisting or flexing in any direction.
What this means is that Mayhew’s Select twisted hex keys should remain straighter, stronger, and more rigid at higher torque levels.
In theory, there are some advantages to these twisted hex keys, but it’s hard to say whether users will really benefit from the twisted design in practice. Still, these look like very interesting and decent hex keys that are affordably priced.
The hex keys are color-coded orange for inch and red for metric, and all action areas are manganese-phosphate-coated for wear resistance.
Both sets come with 9 sizes and a holder. They’re priced in the $20-25 range (each), and are made in the USA*.
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Buy Now(Inch via Amazon)
Buy Now(Metric via Amazon)
More Info(via Mayhew Catalog)
*There has been 1 report that these are no longer made in the USA.
Allen
Interesting. Is the theory behind it sound ? I would think metal would resist deformation regardless of it’s initial shape.
Over time I cut the ends off my hex key wrenches as they wear, this design might inhibit that.
I wonder if the tips are specially hardened or if it is just the coating.
Stuart
The theory of how it works is basically just my understanding of how they work. All Mayhew says is that they “increase torque capacity.”
Most hex keys do flex a little, or even a lot, during higher torque operations. The way I see it, these hex keys are sort of pre-twisted to near capacity before being hardened and locked into shape. The internal structure should be much more resistant to torsional forces.
Pablo
I agree, sounds like a buncha broscience to me.
If the twist is made before the heat treatment, then the grain structure should realign and the internal stresses from “preloading” would be moot.
Stuart
I’m now thinking that maybe the twisting is designed to limit flex of a hex shaft key, such as when the short end of the hex key is mated to a fastener and torque is being applied through turning forces towards the tip of the long end.
The twist in the shaft should make it more resilient to bending and flexure along the long arm, which seems to be a greater issue with hex keys than twisting.
Stan
This is “beauty” if you will of Toolguy’d, I often find items I’ve never heard of and want. Nothing is more awesome to see an item I’ve never heard of before and best of this is being USA made.
Thanks for posting this Stuart, I definitely am now going to keep an eye on this product.
mike
I just ordered both the SAE and Metric sets. I use hex keys pretty extensively at work,so these will definately get the test.
I also ordered some Bondhus protanium sets to compare them with 🙂
joe
Makes sense on paper and in the brain..lol…I welcome every bit of enhancement to anything….
but then I think there should be two types…clockwise twisted to tighten and a counterclockwise to loosen….lol…I would not mind owning both tho if the results are good…thanks.
mike
My order of these came in today. They feel pretty solid. I dont care for the paint they used on the outside is my only gripe so far.
Fastener engagement is really good and not sloppy. Will see how long these last.
Stan
At least this isn’t pink or has a similar color scheme to those sugary cereals you see in advertisements. I am normally fine with traditional black oxide as the primary color scheme, but as long as this isn’t a flashy color, I am not picky about this.
mike
Thats true. Althou i’m sure my wife wouldnt complain about some pink or purple ones.
The type of paint they used seems to be slighty rubberized or possibly epoxy based.
On a few of them its lifted up a bit where they unmasked it but thats not a big deal.
Stan
That is interesting as looking at the finish, I figured that was just your average oil based paint or something around those lines.
Not that is anything wrong with pink though, but there are some guys that instantly become childish about this though.
So seeing that you have used these for a while, what are your thoughts on this product? Are they truly different design wise than what Eklind and Bondhus produce?
Mike
Well been using these for a bit now. I love them. Use them nearly everyday with heavy use in machining and assembly operations. I find them superior to any standard type of hex key with the exception of Bondhus Protanium. When you first hold these in your hand you can feel they are different and when tightening set screws and such you dont feel the flex in them like a regular hex key.
If you want hex keys that will last a long time these or protaniums will be the best bet so far.
Chad
These are not made in the USA. The Mayhew website claimed they were US made as well but The Metric set that I purchased, and returned, were made in Taiwan.
Stuart
Drat. Is it definitely the same product?
I wrote that it’s made in USA because that’s what Amazon sales page and Mayhew’s catalog have said, and are still saying.
Mike
Their website shows them to now be made in Taiwan. All of their online listings now have a country of origin listing. More and more are showing Taiwan.
http://mayhew.com/select-specialty-twisted-hex-keys.php
Their e-Catalog and many product descriptions show USA made products, but when you look at individual listings that isn’t always the case.
Stuart
Thanks!
Yep, it was their e-catalog, as I previously didn’t see Mayhew’s product page.
Mike
I was pretty disappointed the first time someone pointed it out to me. Yet one more ‘Made in USA’ brand where you have to check each and every purchase to find out where it’s really made.